People You Should Know

Queen of Katwe is the colorful true story of Phiona Mutesi, a young girl selling corn on the streets of rural Uganda whose world rapidly changes when she is introduced to the game of chess, and, as a result of the support she receives from her family and community, is instilled with the confidence and determination she needs to pursue her dream of becoming an international chess champion. Based on the book by Tim Crothers, Queen of Katwe stars David Oyelowo, Lupita Nyong'o and newcomer Madina Nalwanga.

Check out this very inspiring photo of Indianapolis, Indiana native and senior at Tennessee State University (TSU), RaCia Denise Poston. This photo went viral and Ms. Poston received much praise for her accomplishments while at TSU.

Just to share a few of her accomplishments: Poston is in the U.S. Army; a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority; a former Miss Collegiate 100; President of TSU’s Student Government Association; and soon to be the first college graduate in her family.

Leadership…brains…beauty. Such is the #blackwomanmagic developed and nurtured at HBCUs. Congratulations, RaCia Denise Poston, continue to let your light shine!

Kim Godwin is an example of awesome industry leaders produced by this nation's HBCUs. Check out this video tribute featuring her family and colleagues at CBS Evening News. A product of the J-School at Florida A&M University, Godwin's numerous awards include an Emmy and an HBCU Innovation Award. Congratulations, Kim!

I’d like to introduce to you a young man who is truly gifted in his ability to weave words in such a descriptive manner that the listener cannot ignore the profundity of his statements. Please Google Anthony Anaxagorou and listen and read his work. This young man is truly Superbad. Listen to the Truth. Share. Please.

This is Not a Poem and I Am Not a Poet. Wow. If this doesn’t move you or at least make you think then you have no heart.

On August 19, 1989, off-duty cop Mark MacPhail was shot and killed in Savannah, GA. Troy Davis was arrested and sentenced to death. There was no physical evidence linking him to MacPhail’s murder. There were nine witnesses who said that Davis was the killer. Seven of those nine witnesses have recanted their testimony citing coercion by law enforcement. One of the two remaining witnesses is the original prime suspect.

Based on these facts, one has to wonder why the State of Georgia insists on executing Troy Davis on September 21, 2011. There is just too much doubt in the case of Troy Davis.

Hundreds of thousands of people have signed petitions asking that Troy Davis not be executed. Several former government officials and celebrities have also asked that Troy Davis not be executed. However, Michael MacPhail’s mother is looking forward to the execution of Troy Davis. She thinks it will bring her some peace. My heart goes out to her. I know the pain she feels. I know the feeling of having a child’s life taken in such a violent manner.

The truth, however, is that there is too much doubt that Troy Davis murdered Mark MacPhail. Family and friends want someone to pay for Mark’s murder. If Troy Davis is executed, their desire will still not have been honestly satisfied.

The execution of Troy Davis would be a terrible miscarriage of justice. Here are three steps you can take to help him before the Georgia Parole Board meets on September 19. 2011:

2. Sign the name wall, if you haven't already. And if you have, send it to your friends and family. Each name means a more united front for justice: http://action.naacp.org/Name-Wall

3. Make sure everyone knows about this injustice. Spread the word on Facebook and Twitter (using the hashtag #TooMuchDoubt) so that Troy Davis's story can be heard. We still have a chance to save his life, but only if people are willing to speak out against injustice.

I like hip hop, I really do. But those who know me, know that I’m also persnickety about the music I like to listen to. There’s a young lady who goes by the name of Miss Mykie who is a breath of fresh air in the rap game. She has a unique sound and flavor that doesn’t make you embarrassed or angry to be a woman, especially a black woman.

I can’t tell you I’ve heard everything she’s done but what I have seen and heard is impressive. In full disclosure, Miss Mykie and I are sorority sisters --- Alpha Kappa Alpha. I’ve never met her and could easily be her mom. Miss Mykie being my soror does not in any way color my opinion of her work but it does make me proud to acknowledge her as my sorority sister and not just my sistah.

Miss Mykie, born Mykel Gray, lists Houston as her hometown and is an alum of Howard University. I can only imagine she would have blown up super big by now if she would hoochify her image. Thank God she hasn’t because she doesn’t have to, the sister has skills.

ST. LOUIS, MO — Carolyn House Stewart of Tampa, Florida was sworn in as the 28th International President of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority during the Sorority's weeklong convention that was held in St. Louis. In ascending to the international presidency, she becomes the first lawyer to head the organization. She also makes history as the first president to serve a full term in the Sorority's second century.

As international president Mrs. Stewart will serve a four-year term from 2010-2014. She will guide policy, develop programs and set the leadership tone for Alpha Kappa Alpha, which was founded in 1908 at Howard University and is the largest and oldest organization of primarily African-American college-educated women in the world. Today, it boasts a diverse membership of 260,000 college-educated members in 975 chapters in the United States, the Caribbean, Canada, Germany, Korea, Japan and on the continent of Africa.

Attorney Stewart's ascension to Alpha Kappa Alpha's chief leadership position caps a 38-year record of commitment and service to Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority that began when she was initiated at the University of South Florida. On the national arena, she also served as Chairman of the Sorority's Program Committee, International Secretary and First Vice President.

Mrs. Stewart, who has enjoyed a 32-year career as an attorney, is a shareholder in the law firm of Macfarlane Ferguson & McMullen, one of Florida's oldest law firms. She received her juris doctor degree from the University of South Carolina Law Center and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of South Florida.

Under her administration, Alpha Kappa Alpha will launch a comprehensive program that will continue the Sorority's 102-year legacy of "providing service to all mankind."

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, which is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, is the oldest and first Greek-letter organization founded by Black women and one of the world's leading service organizations. The Sorority's mission to "serve all mankind," is achieved through a comprehensive array of programs and advocacy initiatives. Its membership includes Dr. Mae C. Jemison, Alicia Keys, Eleanor Roosevelt, the late Coretta Scott King, the late Rosa Parks a host of political leaders and other luminaries.

Wise Intelligent of the group Poor Righteous Teachers speaks on the influence of intentional negativity in hip-hop and its influence on the black community. Interesting points and worthy of consideration.

Tom Burrell has written a powerful book, Brainwashed: Challenging the Myth of Black Inferiority, that exposes and explains why the black collective finds itself in a current condition of dysfunction. It was difficult to put this book down because Burrell’s perspective is different from many books on this same broad subject.

Burrell’s perspective as a marketing and public relations expert is straight forward, eye-opening and raw. Our mental conditioning must be addressed before blacks can ever realize true, substantive progress as a people.

Brainwashing is not just a victimization of blacks although blacks seem to be the most damaged by it. Whites have been brainwashed, as have women, men, Latinos, Asians, etc., etc., etc. Pick a group, any group and you have been brainwashed too.

Shout out to Roland Martin of the Tom Joyner Morning Show for interviewing Tom Burrell and turning me on to this book. I've purchased a few as gifts. We'll discuss this book in more detail. Get a copy and Stop the Brainwash!

Apparently, there's been a bit of controversy over the naming of the all-white step team from Zeta Tau Alpha Fraternity (yes, they are a women's organization) of the University of Arkansas as 1st Place winners of the national Sprite Step-Off competition. What was up with the booing after they were named winners? Come on, people.

After the announcement and complaints by blacks, competition sponsors said there was a discrepancy in the scoring and named Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority of Indiana University as co-winners and awarded them $100,000 also.

Here's the performance by Alpha Kappa Alpha.

Now, let's be real. Undoubtedly there was some novelty and surprise for ZTA to be in the competition but a few seconds into their routine and it was obvious they brought their "A" game. Their showmanship, execution and overall peformance was tight.

The historical significance of stepping based on African boot dance and the obstacles blacks overcame for the right to a formal education are not discussed nearly enough. If it took a group of white girls from Arkansas winning a historically-black contest to instigate that discussion then it's all good. Be on notice that Zeta Tau Alpha has raised the bar in stepping. So to all participants, just raise the bar higher next year or stay home.